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Episode 507: This week’s episode is jam-packed with Disney news. It seems like the past week has been an avalanche of updates, concept art, and announcements about projects both in progress and on the horizon. Let’s dive into some of the biggest stories we’re covering in Episode 507 of Traveling with the Mouse.

Zootopia 3D Show Gets an Opening Date at Animal Kingdom

Disney has finally given us an opening date for the all-new Zootopia 3D show coming to Animal Kingdom. November 7th is an earlier opening date than we expected but with the release of Zootopia 2 in theaters later that month it makes perfect sense. We discuss the timing, and whether it will bring much-needed energy to Animal Kingdom.

Big Thunder Mountain’s New Concept Art and Backstory

Hang on to your hats and glasses, because Big Thunder Mountain is about to dig deeper into its backstory. Disney released new concept art along with a fleshed-out narrative for the classic attraction. We break down what the updates mean, how much will actually change in the guest experience, and how this retelling fits into Disney’s growing trend of “story-forward” refurbishments.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Becomes Muppets Mayhem

We all know that soon Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is losing Aerosmith and gaining…the Muppets. The new concept art shows released this week shows what the Muppet-ified version of the pre-show will look like. We share our thoughts on the concept art and speculate on how long this change-over might take.

Beak and Barrel Lounge at Magic Kingdom

Avast, ye thirsty travelers! The Beak and Barrel, the new pirate-themed lounge at Magic Kingdom, is just about ready to open its doors, and we’ve got a look inside. From themed cocktails to immersive details, this lounge seems to be another step in Disney’s strategy of creating more unique hangout spaces in the parks. We break down the vibe, and whether this addition is worth the wait.

Spaceship Earth Refurbishment – But for How Long?

Finally, we turn our attention to EPCOT’s icon. Spaceship Earth has closed for refurbishment, but Disney is being vague on just how long it will be down. We talk about what changes might be on the horizon, whether this will be a quick spruce-up or something more significant, and how a long closure would affect the park experience.

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Episode 476: As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re thankful for the steady stream of updates from the parks, but some of these changes are stirring up debate in the Disney community. Let’s dig into the biggest headline: we finally have confirmation on where the much-anticipated Monsters, Inc. land will be going in Hollywood Studios. Drumroll, please… It’s taking over Muppets Courtyard. Yes, you heard that right. That means the days of Muppet fans enjoying the beloved Muppet Vision 3D are numbered. This attraction, a fan favorite for its humor, nostalgia, and Jim Henson magic, will be replaced as part of the Monsters, Inc. expansion.

Disney isn’t bidding farewell to the Muppets just yet. Instead, they’re making their way over to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. We’ve known for a while that Aerosmith’s days as the face of the coaster were limited, and now it’s official: the Muppets are stepping in to fill those big rock-star shoes.

We want to hear your thoughts! Are you excited about the changes? Devastated to see Muppet Vision 3D go? Let us know in the comments or on social media. And don’t forget to tune in to this week’s episode for our full discussion on these updates, plus a look at what else is happening in the Disney-verse.

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Welcome back to another episode of Traveling with the Mouse! On this week’s show, we’re diving into the latest Disney news, and then we’re shaking things up with a fun, yet thought-provoking, hypothetical game. We’re asking ourselves: of the attractions on the chopping block, which one would we save?

We discuss some things in the news like the points chart for the new Tower rooms at the Polynesian set to open in December. We have an update on both of the new housing projects that Disney is undertaking on both coasts. Dok-Ondar is back at his shop in Galaxy’s edge and we are still trying to figure out what exactly is happening over at Woody’s Lunchbox.

To wrap up the episode, we take a walk down memory lane and highlight some major milestones that happened this week in Disney history. Whether it’s a ride debut, a key film release, or a landmark event, we look back on the moments that shaped the parks and the company we all love. From classic ride openings to the launch of iconic films, this segment is filled with Disney nostalgia and celebrates the moments that made us fans for life.

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Episode 463: Hey Disney fans, welcome back to another exciting episode of Traveling with the Mouse! In episode 463, we dive deep into some of the hottest topics in the Disney universe right now. From speculating about the location of Monsters Inc. Land to discussing the latest updates to Peter Pan’s Flight, we’ve got a lot to cover!

The Future of Monsters Inc. Land: Where Should It Go?
One of the most intense debates swirling around Disney right now is the location for the new Monsters Inc. Land that was announced at D23. We couldn’t resist speculating about where this new land might end up. We each reveal where we hope to see this monster-filled world come to life. But it’s not just about the location. We also debate which attractions we’d be willing to sacrifice to make way for Monsters Inc. Land and we’d love to hear your thoughts on which attractions should stay or go!

Peter Pan’s Flight Updates
Next, we shift gears to discuss the recent updates to Peter Pan’s Flight. This classic ride has seen some changes, and naturally, we have opinions! Did Disney hit the mark with these changes, or did they miss the pixie dust? Tune in to hear our verdict.

Theme Park Attendance: Who’s Up and Who’s Down?

We also dive into the latest report on theme park attendance worldwide. It’s been a wild 2023 for Disney parks, with some locations seeing a spike in visitors while others experienced a dip. We analyze the numbers and speculate on what might have contributed to these changes. Whether it’s new attractions, park expansions, or just the general state of the world, there’s a lot to unpack in this report. If you’re curious about which Disney parks are on the rise and which ones might be struggling, you won’t want to miss this segment.

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Episode 299: We got to experience a VIP tour at Walt Disney World! We tell you what it was like and if we think it is worth the price. Before we get to that we did have a few news stories to cover like, Disneyland discontinuing their Annual Pass program. We speculate as to what they will have in its place once the pandemic is over. The Muppet show is coming to Disney+ and Hall of Presidents is closed for the addition of President Joe Biden. Jason and I went on a trip this past weekend to Walt Disney world so we have a trip report. We stayed once again at the Gran Destino tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs resort. We experienced The festival of the arts, Rise of the resistance, and the new ratatouille…walkway. Also during this trip we took a VIP tour and went to all 4 parks and got to see some backstage areas with our very knowledgeable tour guide, Homer. We tell you what we thought of our first experience on a VIP tour!

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Episode 292: After a week off we are back to discuss the latest Disney news & rumors and give a quick review of the Mandalorian Season 2. We also do a preview on Jon’s upcoming Walt Disney World trip! In the news this week we talk about a price increase for DVC fees that will take effect in 2021. The Grand Californian will re-open to DVC guests in early December. We got a first look at the new roller coaster trains for the Guardian’s of the Galaxy coaster at Epcot. The Muppets are back at Liberty square in the Magic Kingdom and we give a construction update on the various projects that are still ongoing at Walt Disney World. We discuss some start wars news before diving into our review of the first 2 episodes from season 2 of the Mandalorian. Finally, we preview Jon’s upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. He talks about his strategy and expectations about going to Walt Disney World during this pandemic.

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337b4ee2-ee5d-4565-b68c-1d0114381808Episode 252: Today we just have a random Disney discussion. We discuss the latest Disney news and have some random things mixed in. For example, Jason has an idea for a Magic Kingdom challenge where you would ride every ride multiple times…but how many times do you think you could ride each ride in a single day? We also discuss some potential strategies to complete this challenge. We also talk about ride closures, construction updates, a roaming R2D2, Festival of the Arts, and Disney Oscar chances this year. Later this week Jason will be embarking on his first Disney cruise but he is also going to try and make it on Rise of the Resistance before his cruise. Will he make it in time? Stay tuned to find out!

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TWTM_Episode_234Episode: 234. Today on the show we discuss the latest news and Jon walks us through his recent trip to Walt Disney World! We also discuss the major day of Parkeology runs on that took place on September 11th. In the news we talk about Disney returning (for a limited time) the Bedtime call from a Disney character. Tomorrowland’s New Sign is being installed. The Muppets may be leaving Liberty square soon. And we are getting our first on ride look at the Disney Skyliner!

 

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In today’s episode, we continue where we left off in our tour of Disney’s Hollywood studios. We cover Grand Avenue, Commissary Lane, Pixar Place and the Animation courtyard. We also preview Toy Story Land and go through the menu at Woody’s Lunchbox (the new quick service location that is opening soon). If you aren’t familiar with the series…Every Friday we have been taking a walk-through of every land at the Walt Disney World parks and discuss the past and present rides, attractions, shows, shopping and dinning options that are available. Next Friday we will wrap up Hollywood Studios!